SIR – Cameron clearly never has to catch a bus or he would notice that cuts to local government have already forced councils to cut bus services, which will make for worse traffic jams and even less safety for children walking to school; and has no-one pointed out to him that the Welsh Assembly has already been forced to axe technical education, vital for improving our skills base, in order to protect school budgets that will also be cut if he remains in office?

Privatisation of NHS England is well under way and is having a knock-on effect in Wales where our health services are becoming unsustainable due to the pressures on social care.

The “bedroom tax” is wrecking communities that survived the miners strike.

Continuation of Cameron’s “long-term economic plan” will mean the end of the NHS, resulting in the same wasteful and expensive model of health care as in the USA.

Is he going to offer a referendum on the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Protocol, or just sign away our democracy?

Margaret Phelps

Penarth

This dash for nuclear power is simply mad

SIR – I was flabbergasted to read reports of the wonderful economic benefits that rebuilding Wylfa B would bring to Wales.

You wouldn’t think the ex-Prime Minister of Japan had recently visited Anglesey specifically to warn us against the trap of relying on nuclear power. He held meetings throughout Wales, speaking from personal experience of the tragic disaster in Fukushima and begging Wales not to go down the road of renewing Wylfa B. We ignore his words at our peril.

The economic arguments are clear. It will take at least £14m of private finance to develop Wylfa B.

No-one wants to invest their money into expensive and dangerous nuclear, when renewable energy is the only long-term answer for Wales.

There are major investments in renewable energy, such as the £1m pledged for the tidal lagoons in Swansea Bay.

The cost of harnessing offshore wind and tidal power has fallen, making them a far more cost effective way to develop Wales’ future energy infrastructure.

The nuclear industry loves to trumpet the jobs bonanza of new nuclear, but based on the experience of Finland and elsewhere less than a third of the supposed economic benefits of Wylfa B will come to Wales. Two-thirds will go into the pockets of Japanese and European investors and employers.

Anglesey would be far better served if, instead of pouring huge sums of money into new nuclear, it followed Germany’s example, where local, renewable sources provide the majority of their energy.

Oil, coal and uranium-dependent nuclear will all run out some day. But renewables will be there for ever – safe, secure and providing cheap energy for our children, great-grandchildren and all future generations.

So for all of our futures, we should stop this mad blinkered dash for nuclear power.

Ray Davies

Bedwas, Caerphilly

London pulls strings of the main parties

SIR – Both Ulster and Scotland have been able to force better deals from London because they are represented or likely to be represented by their own local political parties.

Ulster Unionist and Nationalists forced London to cough up millions for them to pass welfare changes. The Nationalists in Scotland had London offering millions and more devolved powers to buy off an independence vote.

In Wales our First Minister rushed to Scotland to prop up London rule in Scotland. Our Labour Party puppet First Minister with his strings pulled from London was rewarded with nothing for his grovelling.

Wales has been cheated out of millions of pounds for years because of the way we are funded by London. Has our First Minister stood up and demanded fair funding of Wales? No. Did the last Blair and Brown Labour Government in London reform the funding of Wales? No!

It is clear we will only get proper funding for Wales when Welsh Nationalist MPs are elected in all parts of Wales; when we have MPs who are out for the best deal and funding for Wales. We need MPs prepared to put the thumbscrews on the London Government to extract the maximum funding possible.

It is no good voting for Ukip, the Tories, New Labour, Lib-Dems or Greens with their strings pulled by party headquarters in London. They will not fight for Wales.

We need as many Plaid Cymru, Party of Wales MPs elected as possible. The stronger Plaid is the more we can extract from the tightly clenched money bags of London Government. The sooner far more powers are devolved to Wales the better.

Keith Parry

Cardiff

Take part in election and show you care

SIR – General elections are the time when people have the power in their hands to vote out candidates from parties who have helped to enact bad laws. Major issues will always be the NHS, job creation, housing and education.

The contentious issues will relate to morality and ethics, not just in society but also in our elected government.

As a Christian I believe every life deserves protection from conception to its natural end.

Assisted suicide – we must ensure MPs understand that we do not want this for there are better ways of alleviating fear of dying.

Abortion – we must get back the respect for the unborn child (as there is none at present) in parliament when they are discussing issues relating to the unborn child.

Trafficking and prostitution – this needs to be stamped out with more powerful laws; no demand, no need.

Religious liberty – the law at the present moment in time speaks of equality but laws on equality and discrimination should protect the freedom and human rights of all. However, recently many Christians and those of other faiths have been required to act against their beliefs or risk their livelihood. Addressing equality laws fairly in the coming parliament will be crucial to protecting freedom of conscience.

Marriage – we have been encouraged by some minuscule financial recognition of marriage, but it must be also recognised in law that children need a mother and a father. The mess created by the main political parties on marriage laws has undermined family life.

It was once hoped that giving everyone the vote would usher in a brave new world, but this has not materialised. As we mark the anniversary of Magna Carta, which entrenched protection of the citizen and the church, and prepare to vote, remember that those freedoms and liberties came at a terrible price. Let’s fully participate in this coming general election, demonstrating love and care for our nation.

Norman Plaisted

Newport

Excellent treatment at hospital

SIR – The Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend has received a great deal of adverse publicity recently, but I wish to report that in my recent stay on ward 10, the treatment I received from all of the staff was excellent. It is only when one is a patient oneself that one can appreciate the considerable difficulties faced by the nurses and care assistants. In my experience patients were often very demanding, often unreasonably so, and indeed violent towards the staff. However, they without exception, remained polite and good humoured.

People are often very quick to complain about the care their relatives receive in hospital, and they should ensure that their complaints are indeed justified. I would urge people, instead of complaining, to go and help their relatives with basic tasks, like eating, thereby assisting the severely understaffed nurses.

Susan Lewis

Betws

Independence fear

SIR – Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood did well to take Nigel Farage to task in the leaders’ debate on television but don’t forget, a vote for Plaid Cymru is a vote for independence.